Rural support for Gaeltacht areas
Deputy Shanahan praised rural regeneration funding in Cappoquin and Ardmore but questioned whether Gaeltacht areas are getting a fair share of rural supports. Deputy Humphreys said Gaeltacht areas receive funding when they apply and cited recent support for a west Cork area.
I had the pleasure of visiting Cappoquin a number of times in the last few months to review the funding there from the rural regeneration and development fund, RRDF, which is progressing very well. I thank the Minister for that and also thank her for the recent grant of funding to Ardmore.
Does the Department of Rural and Community Development have any oversight of rural supports for the Gaeltacht areas? I am reviewing replies to parliamentary questions that I received and they show that the Waterford Gaeltacht received only €6,900 from a €38 million disbursal over four years, and also just €60,000 from a €14.7 million disbursal over six years. I ask that the Department take over the development of the rural Gaeltachtaí because it appears the Department with responsibility for the Gaeltacht does not know that Baile na Déise exists.
Comment on this
I have been to Cappoquin many times. It is a fine place and the Deputy is doing great work there. Funding of €3.3 million was announced for Ardmore and I know the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, was very keen that we would support it. That came under the rural regeneration development programme.
The Gaeltacht areas get support when they put in applications. A Gaeltacht area in west Cork got support under the rural regeneration fund that was just announced on Monday, although the name of the area eludes me. They need to get their applications in if they want to get support. Many places wonder why they did not get it and it is because they have not put in applications or else they need to work on their applications. For anybody who put in an application and did not get funding, I suggest they get feedback from my Department. What we want to do is help people. We want to spend the money and we want to get it into rural Ireland. Over €116 million was allocated on Monday to projects all over the country. For those who were not successful, they should contact my Department and get feedback on how they can improve their application. It is a case of “If at first you do not succeed, try again.”
